JBL Minigon Question

[HCSGuy]

Is the 077 better than an LE-30? Absolutely. Pristine LE-30's, with no dents (rare) go for $500 or so to people who will put them on shelves and look at them. 077 (or the 2405 pro equivalent) were used in many speakers, including all the large format studio monitors through the 70's and early 80's (43xx and 44xx). Provided it is used as a UHF driver, it is still a relevant driver for high efficiency uses. They are still worth 400-500 in great condition.

[Harvey Gerst]

In this era, you could purchase most JBL Enclosures with several driver loadings, depending on your budget, or buy the drivers and use their guide to build your own enclosure. The important thing was that you bought their drivers - hell, wasn't the Hartsfield available with a LE8t?

Regarding the claim that they were built by Jim Lansing in his garage, pure ignorance. As BMWCCA pointed out, Mr. Lansing committed suicide in 1949, before any of the products JBL is famous for came out. It was under his successor, Bill Thomas, that the Hartsfield came out and made the company well known. After the Paragon, then its less expensive siblings, the Metrogon then the Minigons. So by the time your speakers were made, JBL was an established corporation. -sorry.

However, don't go messing with the ones you've got - get the drivers to member Edgewound or post for a good reconer in your area for advice - they may be refoamable, or you may have to haunt Ebay for a clean pair of replacements or recone kits (don't know if they're still available). This speaker is known for being a collectible, not for its sound quality - a pristine pair in teak, with the LE30/LE10A are worth about $2k. Even then, the LE30 is known as one of the worst sounding tweeters JBL made and didn't survive long. Other than bass, the speakers may actually sound better with a restored LE8t.

Post some pictures, let us see what you scored!

The Hartsfield could be purchased with a JBL D208. AFAIK, it was never made with an LE8T. At least, none ever left the factory like that.

The Minigons were all produced when we were on Casitas Ave.

[HCSGuy]

Thanks for the correction Harvey, nice to read you again!

[L200B]

The 077's seam odd but the original adaptor plate for the LE-8 is there? It looks like it was originally an LE8 based system.

Rob

The adaptor plate is used with the LE10. I believe the actual construction of the cabinet is different in LE8 models.